Lecture Programme

With almost 30 years of experience in the acting industry, and an extraordinary journey to fame, Blythe Duff was certainly a special presence at the Dallachy Lecture 2011.  The evening began with a tangible excitement in the air, as Blythe talked excitedly about her past, and some of the incredible people she has worked with in both TV and theatre over years.

From the Coliseum in London to the Citizens Theatre here in Glasgow, Blythe really has seen it all, and the opportunity to hear about her experience from her own unique perspective was extremely enjoyable.  Perhaps one of the best features of the lecture was the vibrancy with which it was delivered, as most in the audience could tell, Blythe truly loved her profession.  At a time when the S6 are so close to making career decisions, it was both interesting and reassuring to observe at first-hand  the magical effect that working in an industry that you are passionate about can have on your life.

The further we delved into Blythe’s past, the more evident it was that the journey to being a household name was definitely not an easy one, and for those aspiring thespians among us, it was an exclusive chance to gain a realistic understanding of the industry.  As Blythe is best known for her role in the internationally recognized TV series ‘Taggart’, the evening could not pass without one person exclaiming; “There’s been a murder!”  However, we saw another side of Blythe as she described in vivid detail her continual support and promotion of Scottish Youth Theatre, as well as her love of production through her own company aptly named ‘Datum Point'.  Blythe plans to continue her work in Scottish theatre and television, and we wish her the very best for the future.

Overall, the message weaved through Blythe’s speech came across with exceptional clarity, and though it was most poignant to those considering a future in the acting profession, we could all take something valuable away from the evening - if you really love what you do, if you are dedicated and determined, if you put in the hard work, absolutely anything is possible.

Anumita Dhullipala, S6

Dallachy Lecture 2010